Walt Disney World is facing increasing customer dissatisfaction and a drop in park attendance, prompting the company to implement various discounts on admission and hotel stays in recent months.
In May, Disney introduced discounted three-day ticket packages that allow guests to visit Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom for $89 per day. However, tickets for Magic Kingdom must still be purchased separately.
These lowered ticket prices, available until September 24, represent a significant reduction from the previous peak price of $254 for a daily Park Hopper pass.
Additionally, Disney is working to make trips to the Florida resort more affordable by offering discounts on their most economical hotel options. Stays at Disney’s All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports Resort can start at $100 per night, depending on booking dates. These reductions can exceed 27% from standard rates, according to Bloomberg.
The parks have also rolled out new dining packages this summer, which offer discounts of 20% to 30% on in-park dining. Families can purchase all-day meal passes for $30 per child and $95 per adult, redeemable at select dining locations throughout the parks. The company is reportedly providing more quick meal options, affordable children’s food, and flexible dining policies.
Experts attribute the rising cost of in-park dining as a key factor in the decline of customer satisfaction. Len Testa, president of TouringPlans.com, noted that customer satisfaction ratings have fallen from 90% to 60% as Disney shifted from à la carte dining to fixed-price meals at many favored restaurants.
While Testa commended Disney’s cost-cutting measures, he cautioned that this might not indicate a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction or affordability. He remarked that “Disney has long been willing to sacrifice a certain number of positive ratings for a certain amount of revenue.”